FROM: Robert Thompson, General Manager
Originator: Mike Dorman, Director of Engineering
SUBJECT:
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LOS ALAMITOS SUB-TRUNK AND WESTSIDE RELIEF INTERCEPTOR REHABILITATION, CONTRACT NO. 3-64C
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GENERAL MANAGER'S RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
A. Receive and file Bid Tabulation and Recommendation for Los Alamitos Sub-Trunk and Westside Relief Interceptor Rehabilitation, Contract No. 3-64C as part of the Rehabilitation of Western Regional Sewers, Project No. 3-64;
B. Approve a project budget increase of $2,300,000 for Rehabilitation of Western Regional Sewers, Project No. 3-64, for a new total project budget of $96,300,000;
C. Award a Construction Contract Agreement to T. E. Roberts, Inc., for Los Alamitos Sub-Trunk and Westside Relief Interceptor Rehabilitation, Contract No. 3-64C, for a total amount not to exceed $35,320,572; and
D. Approve a construction contract agreement contingency of $3,532,057 (10%).
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BACKGROUND
This contract represents the final phase of the Rehabilitation of Western Regional Sewers, Project No. 3-64. The Los Alamitos Sub-Trunk and Westside Relief Interceptor sewers were constructed in 1959 and are within the cities of La Palma, Cypress, and Los Alamitos along Oak Street, Sausalito Street, Chestnut Street, Cerritos Avenue, Bloomfield Street, Orange Avenue, Moody Street, and Denni Street and an easement through Forest Lawn Cemetery.
RELEVANT STANDARDS
• Achieve less than 2.1 sewer spills per 100 miles
• Comply with California Public Contract Code Section 20103.8, award contract to lowest responsive, responsible bidder
• Ensure the public’s money is wisely spent
PROBLEM
The upper reaches of the Los Alamitos Sub-Trunk suffer from capacity issues, while other sections have deteriorating pipe joints, corroded manholes, structural weaknesses, calcium blockages, inflow/infiltration problems, and limited access for cleaning. The Westside Relief Interceptor also faces similar challenges, including deteriorated pipe joints, corroded manholes, structural damage, cracked pipes, calcium deposits, and inflow/infiltration issues that impede maintenance. The presence of undersized pipes and damaged joints reduces system capacity by allowing groundwater infiltration and stormwater inflow. Additionally, untreated manhole corrosion could lead to structural failures that impact the surrounding pavement. Calcium buildup at pipe joints caused by mineral-rich groundwater further complicates proper pipe cleaning.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
Award a Construction Contract Agreement for the Los Alamitos Sub-Trunk and Westside Relief Interceptor Rehabilitation, Contract No. 3-64C. This contract will replace one mile of sewer pipe with 24-inch through 26-inch high-density polyethylene pipe and rehabilitate six miles of sewer lines with chemical grout injection to reduce the risk of flow blockages, sewage spills, and pipeline failures, while also addressing inflow and infiltration issues. This contract will also add or replace 28 manholes and rehabilitate 71 existing manholes.
TIMING CONCERNS
Delay in awarding the contract would result in further calcium buildup, increased pipe blockages, and ongoing corrosion, potentially impacting the reliability of the collections system.
RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT TAKING ACTION
Failing to upsize and rehabilitate the sewer pipelines will elevate the risk of spills, increase maintenance demands, and ultimately lead to the failure of these critical assets. A pipeline failure would not only cause a significant sewage spill but also pose serious risks to public health and safety, necessitating a complex and costly bypass system for repairs.
PRIOR COMMITTEE/BOARD ACTIONS
N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Orange County Sanitation District (OC San) advertised Los Alamitos Sub-Trunk and Westside Relief Interceptor Rehabilitation, Contract No. 3-64C, for bids on July 15, 2024, and one sealed bid was received on August 27, 2024. A summary of the bid opening follows:
|
Engineer’s Estimate |
$27,200,000 |
|
Bidder |
Amount of Bid |
|
T. E. Roberts, Inc. |
$35,320,572 |
A pre-bid survey was conducted on August 16, 2024, and four bidders confirmed that they intended to submit a bid, so adequate competition was expected.
Prior to the bid opening, one bidder that previously confirmed their intention to submit a bid, indicated that they would not be bidding. They cited concerns about the qualification requirements, specifically those related to pipe bursting experience. This requirement mandated that the prime contractor either have direct experience in pipe bursting or show experience supervising a subcontractor performing this work. The potential bidder requested that this requirement be removed from the Invitation for Bid.
To ensure the success of the project, staff carefully evaluated the project specific challenges associated with pipe bursting, and the sensitive nature of the work environment, which includes residential streets and sections through Forest Lawn Cemetery during restricted nighttime hours. Given these considerations, staff opted to maintain the existing experience requirements for pipe bursting without modifications.
After the single bid was received, a post bid survey was conducted with the companies who previously responded to the bid survey. All companies cited they could not meet the pipe-bursting qualification requirements.
The bid was evaluated in accordance with OC San’s policies and procedures. Since the single bid amount was 30% higher than the engineer’s estimate, staff conducted several meetings with T.E. Roberts, Inc. to perform a cost analysis of their bid. During the evaluation of the bid amount, it was determined the primary difference between the engineer’s estimate and the construction bid stemmed from the cost of bypass pumping. This was primarily due to longer pumping durations, the need for additional pump watch personnel because of the length of the pipe, and increased standby equipment required to address potential spills. OC San performed an updated cost estimate based on the contractor’s bypass pumping bid elements and the bid amount is 4% higher than the revised engineer’s estimate.
Moving forward with the project as bid provides the best approach to meet the operational and reliability needs of OC San. Staff recommends awarding a Construction Contract Agreement to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, T. E. Roberts, Inc., for a total amount not to exceed $35,320,572. A notice was sent to the bidder on November 21, 2024, informing them of the intent of OC San staff to recommend award of the Construction Contract Agreement to T.E. Roberts. Inc.
CEQA
This project is covered in the “Rehabilitation of Western Regional Sewers, Project No. 3-64 Environmental Impact Report (EIR) State Clearinghouse Number 2015111077. This EIR was certified by the Board of Directors and a Notice of Determination was filed on March 23, 2017.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
This request complies with the authority levels of OC San’s Purchasing Ordinance. This item has been budgeted (Budget FY 2024-25 and 2025-26, Section 8, Page 22, Rehabilitation of Western Regional Sewers, Project No. 3-64). This item will increase the project budget and will be funded from the CIP budget.
ATTACHMENT
The following attachment(s) may be viewed on-line at the OC San website (www.ocsan.gov) with the complete agenda package:
• Construction Contract Agreement
• Presentation
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